Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 27, 2007

I wanted to fill you in on Ali. I know you can see her and you probably all ready know this but I feel te need to tell you anyway. She's 10, and a handful. She takes dancing and she wonderful at gymnastics. In her last recictal she had a solo doing gymnastics. Now at the festival she is doing another gymanstics routine. Lisa is going to do her hair. She has that long dark hair and those green eyes. She's adorable, she's my baby. Even though she's not a baby anymore. I met someone names Norie Haas, her son died in the line of duty. She lives in Florida but she found out about you and when she went Washington she done the pencil thing and etched your name onto some paper. Then she went through Jim to find me. I found it so weird that someone I never knew done that for me. It just goes to show that there is still goodness in some poeple.

Tiffany Carpenter
daughter

October 22, 2007

It's been a while since I wrote last but as mom would say, "Tiffany you work way too much". I did want to let you know that Lee is a granddaddy again, Matt and his wife had a baby boy. I've been chilling with Lisa Sawyer a lot lately. She made me realize that I need to let you and Granny go. The really weird thing was I didn't even realize I was holding you. I have always felt there was more to your death than what people say, and Lisa told me that she understood how I would think that, but you had been dead for going on 19 years. She also said that it was time to let you go. So I'm trying to let you go. I love you.

Tiffany Carpenter

September 24, 2007

Been thinking a lot about different things lately. Like how different things would be if you were still a live. The other day me and mom went and seen Pauline and she had altimers. Our of nowhere she asked how you were and mom just told her you were fine. I didn't know what to do or say I mean you've been dead 19 years and she forgot. So many things are different. Brandi has Ali, and Ali is 10. Your mom is gone. I never see your sister or your brothers. I am closer to Linda, Cynthia, and Lee than I am them. Lee is like my other dad. Linda and Cynthia are just always here for me and I don't know what I do wihtout all of them.

Tiffany Carpenter
daughter

June 19, 2007

Almost two years ago after your mom died I found out about your other brothers and sisters. I am proud to say that I really like them and enjoy spending time with them. Unfortunately, their mother died the other day and I done the right thing(as Lee calls it) and went to the visitation and the funeral. I feel as if we are becoming a family and I am happy about it. I only wish you were here to do this with me.

Tiffany Carpenter
daughter

February 23, 2007

Daddy,

Why does your family have to be so difficult? Your mom wasn't like your brothers and sister. I wonder if you were like them. I don't see your brothers and when I do i am not sure how to act. Your sister I never see either and I would love to have a relationship with her. Mom said you and Bobbie Jean were close. I wish me and her could have a relationship.

Tiffany Carpenter
daughter

July 14, 2006

Loosing someone is never easy but when you never knew them at all it really sucks. I knew my dad but I don't remember him at all. I was six years old when he died, but my mom, my sister, and his mother would tell me anything I wanted to know all I had to do was ask. Now that his mother is gone and I am now 24 years old I know that there are some questions I should have asked but never did. To those who have ever lost someone I must say I am sorry I know what it is like. Just don't give up hope and with time it will get better.

I love you, Dad.

Tiffany Carpenter
daughter

June 21, 2006

I am 27 years old and a probabtioner with Hertfordshire Police In ENGLAND.
I was browsing the internet and came across this web site which is a great memorial to fallen USA law enforcemnet officers.
I would just like to say sorry to the family of Freeman Carpenter

Constable Gary Frost
Hertfordshire Police UNITED KINGDOM

March 22, 2006

I Love You Daddy!!

Tiffany Carpenter

February 2, 2006

You may be gone but never ever forgotten especially by your family.

Cynthia Jordan

January 20, 2006

You may be forgotten by your department but not your community.

Tiffany Carpenter

January 18, 2006